India Just Signed An Agreement To Build Its Own 27-Mile Hyperloop

Hyperloop has been the center of attention in the transportation world for years, and Elon Musk has definite plans to build one in the U.S. Many other countries have followed suit, and we will soon see the super fast Hyperloop pods running in many parts of the world. China and the United Arab Emirates will probably be the first, but India has plans to build one in the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh.

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies just announced that they have signed a deal with the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The leadership hopes that the latest transportation technology will be another step in the technological growth of the country. Krishna Kishore, the CEO of AP’s economic development board, said in a statement,

“In order to boost its image and emerge as the frontier city in future technology, Amaravati is looking forward to collaborating with Hyperloop Transportation Technologies.”

Image: Hyperloop Transportation Technologies

The Hyperloop network is planned to connect the cities of Vijayawada and Amaravati, bringing the one hour drive of 27 miles down to just six minutes. The cost of the project is not known yet, but the money will come mainly from private investors. In the next six months, HTT will analyze the possible routes connecting the two cities and then begin building the transport network. No timeline has been stipulated for the project yet.

Image: Hyperloop Transportation Technologies

HTT has not demonstrated a working Hyperloop system yet but Dirk Ahlborn, the CEO of Hyperloop, said that he is confident about their technology.

“We are ready to build. Technology is not an issue,” commented Ahlborn.

The company, however, has already announced plans to build a Hyperloop in South Korea and Slovakia.

Elon Musk’s Hyperloop One has already conducted successful tests of the pods, reaching speeds of 200 miles an hour. China Aerospace Science and Industrial Corporation is building the ‘flying train’ that will reach Mach 3 speeds, going up to 2,300 miles an hour. We shall have to wait and see who gets to the finish line first. However, if either of these companies achieves the safest and the most cost efficient Hyperloop network, it is a win-win situation for everyone.